Maradona becomes Argentina's coach

Buenos Aires, Nov 6: The Argentinean Football Association (AFA) last evening officially appointed veteran football great Diego Maradona as the next coach of the national side.

AFA president Julio Grondona formally announced Maradona"s name for the post, saying he was “extra special". Grondona said that appointing the 48-year-old, who virtually single-handedly took Argentina to the 1986 World Cup trophy, was extra special. “Today is a special day for Argentinean football. Maradona is the new technical director and Carlos Bilardo (the 1986 World Cup winning coach) is the general manager of the team," The News quoted Grondona as saying. Maradona, whose first game in charge will be the friendly against Scotland in Glasgow on November 19, said: “My dream is fulfilled, I feel anything but nervous. I"ve lots of sensations but I feel serene because I can do the job, serene because I have Carlos alongside me and the support of Grondona."

Noray Nakis, the president of the Argentina Football Association (AFA) selection commission, said: “I"d like Maradona to be the next coach."